Rich Miller reports that SEIU has decided not to endorse in the Democratic Primary for Illinois State Treasurer. While I don’t know a ton about the race - I’m guessing this isn’t good news for the slated Democrat, downstate candidate Paul Mangieri - and it’s at least mildly positive news for his opponent, Alexi Giannoulias. Giannoulias has a lot of crucial Chicago backing that unions would help Mangieri get. Commenter ndpotus at Capitol Fax points out Barack Obama got the SEIU endorsement in the U.S. Senate Primary (he also got AFSCME and IFT), when most unions endorsed Dan Hynes. It may be SEIU stayed out of the treasurer’s primary because Barack Obama, along with a number of Chicago area politicians, have endorsed Alexi. Obama has acknowledged his gratitude towards Alexi Giannoulias, who was an early Democratic Primary supporter of Barack’s U.S. Senate campaign.
Alexi was at the Kos Naperville Democrats fundraiser yesterday, circulating well through the crowd and came across quite personable. While I don’t know Paul at all - I can say Mangieri’s definitely losing the website battle with his retro, single page website. Alexi has a respectable web presence - and a better website name. [Update - I can’t get to Mangieri’s website tonight - maybe they’re putting something real up.]
If enough unions don’t back Paul, and enough Chicago Democratic officials back Alexi, it’s going to be tough for Paul to win, slate or no slate.
Comments 2
Sorry I missed the Kos event. Didn’t feel like traveling. How was it?
Posted 24 Jan 2006 at 12:33 am ¶Hi Rich,
I think it went really well. It was low-key, but that kept it relaxed and fun. I had never heard Kos before - so it was nice to see him in person and hear him. He really came across much more modest than I would have expected - confident, but modest. As I blogged I felt like I got a lot out of it (I didn’t blog everything). A lot of it wasn’t rocket science - but he was speaking to a diverse audience, and just the ability to put things together and offer perspective has definite value.
Kos offered to play the piano instead of speak if we wanted (apparently he plays - and there was a piano in the room) - maybe we’ll try to get him back for that
Posted 24 Jan 2006 at 12:51 am ¶Sorry to have missed you there.
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